The 1 billion number comes from total cost of the arena including the land. If it is built on the Cox site, that is an estimated savings of 150 million bringing down cost to 850. When you transfer the 70 million earmarked for upgrades to the Paycom center that brings the number down to 780 mil. This is BEFORE the owners contribute what Holt said was a significant contribution but that number hasn't been floated anywhere. This is also before any RFP's are put out for development around the site which will absolutely come as the site is massive and can support a bigger arena, a hotel or 2 plus a LA live type development with restaurants and bars and retail included.

There will be ancillary programs and development that are part of this package, guaranteed. Not necessarily high-rise buildings but other community-oriented development that has nothing to do with sports or the Thunder.

They really should make the 18-19 Native American Jerseys the official logo/brand

Those were tight AF and it wouldn’t cost them much (in the grand scheme) to make the switch.

But I do wonder if we start to look a little bit too much like Alabama or Stanford football if (i) the team is named the OKC Thunder; (ii) we have a Bison mascot; and (iii) the logos, marks and uniforms are tribal but make no reference to the Thunder.

I do think it would be cool if parts of the arena leaned into the LED thunder cloud motif. Maybe not in the bowl but in part of the concourse or lounge spaces.

I’ve always thought a good rebrand would involve a scissor-tailed flycatcher whose wings transform into thunderclouds.

I have zero talent for graphic design but think of something like the below photo for inspiration:

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To this day the only Thunder merch I’ve ever bought is a Westbrook Native American themed jersey. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the only thing the Thunder have come out with that I actually like.

I can think of a handful of reasons why people might dislike it, but a rebrand as the Thunderbirds could be interesting if done properly, imo. Ties into an element of Native American heritage while still being able to retain a degree of the Thunder identity.

I'd be fine with 20% from ownership so long as they also commit to a full re-brand.

the Dorito/shield logo has to be one of the worst in pro sports.

Could not agree more. a complete re-brand is sorely needed.

The Thunder is actually a Thundering herd of bison. Know there are many logos associated with thunder-lightning. Like the ECHL Wichita Thunder.

Oklahoma City ownership group IMO should have keep the Supersonics logo of which they own the brand.

Many of you are too young to remember The Operation Bongo II in 1964:

The Oklahoma City sonic boom tests, also known as Operation Bongo II, refer to a controversial experiment, organized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in which 1,253 sonic booms were generated over Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, over a period of six months starting in February 1964.

Oklahoma City could have claimed the name 'Supersonics or Sonics,' as a result of those tests that if you are old enough to remember the booms that rocked the city and shook buildings and many structures during that six month period.

Understand that many of you will never be comfortable with the Thunder brand. The franchise had approximately two months to come up with a name and logo:

Six final choices were:



Barons - Bison - Energy - Marshalls - Thunder - Wind

Oklahoma City Narrows List of Names to Six: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/41225-oklahoma-city-narrows-list-of-names-to-six

.

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/2014/07/29/NOKL/ghnewsok-OK-3275253-b9903acc.jpeg?width=300&height=2890&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

There's nothing wrong the team name. The franchise just needs a new logo and color refresh. NBA teams do this all the time. The current OKC logo is very bad.

caaokc is correct. The Thunder should heavily utilize the 2018 City Edition uniform color scheme and logo design while doing a re-brand. Turquoise and sunset as the primary team colors would go crazy.

https://content.sportslogos.net/news/2018/11/OKC-Thunder-New-City-Uniform-2019.jpg

Put the logo on the waistband on top of the new arena and sides.

Agree, we should be proud of the city's heritage and wear more versions on the team's uniform.

^^^^ Yikes! That's truly awful. Sorry. I just think it's a really poor logo concept.

I would appreciate something celebrating our Indian heritage but I'm fine with the Thunder. Indians are not mascots.

https://www.oklahoman.com/gcdn/authoring/2014/07/29/NOKL/ghnewsok-OK-3275253-b9903acc.jpeg?width=300&height=2890&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

Yikes. Where are these from?

I don't think a rebrand is a remote possibility. Our Knicks replica colors and uniforms are quite popular worldwide (plus within the league office and board of governors).

I don't think a rebrand is a remote possibility. Our Knicks replica colors and uniforms are quite popular worldwide (plus within the league office and board of governors).

I can promise you it is indeed a remote possibility. Lol

Id bet my savings on a rebrand in the next decade.

I really like the Indigenous jersey. My favorite design is the Statement jersey from 2017-2019 (https://basketballjerseyarchive.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-2017-19-statement-jersey/76384/). I wish the navy blue and orange versions became the primary jerseys.

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I really like the Indigenous jersey. My favorite design is the Statement jersey from 2017-2019 (https://basketballjerseyarchive.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-2017-19-statement-jersey/76384/). I wish the navy blue and orange versions became the primary jerseys.

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Agreed - The statements go pretty hard. Lots of possibilities there.

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Credit: https://www.dailythunder.com/new-era-new-look/

there should never be any "sunset" jerseys they are terrible

There is a new survey being circulated to some OKC residents by an anonymous source but almost certainly backed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Based on the questions, it seems to pretty clearly lay out the arena plan which is to be presented to the public in final form by the end of the summer.

There were more 'questions' but they were mainly laying the groundwork with the main points Holt has made in his speeches.

Adding up the numbers: $891 million in sales tax + $70 million in MAPS 4 money + $75 million from owners = $1.036 billion. I strongly suspect this does not include the cost of the property, assuming the Cox Center will be used.

All the following were framed in the: would this cause you to vote for the measure?


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123a.jpg


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Id bet my savings on a rebrand in the next decade.

I can’t think of an NBA that has rebranded without changing cities in the last 30-40 years

There is a new survey being circulated to some OKC residents by an anonymous source but almost certainly backed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Based on the questions, it seems to pretty clearly lay out the arena plan which is to be presented to the public in final form by the end of the summer.

There were more 'questions' but they were mainly laying the groundwork with the main points Holt has made in his speeches.

Adding up the numbers: $891 million in sales tax + $70 million in MAPS 4 money + $75 million from owners = $1.036 billion. I strongly suspect this does not include the cost of the property, assuming the Cox Center will be used.

All the following were framed in the: would this cause you to vote for the measure?


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123d.jpg

Love it.

I canÂ’t think of an NBA that has rebranded without changing cities in the last 30-40 years

You do realize the Jazz rebranded literally last year right? A rebrand doesn't have to mean changing the name of the team.

Hawks, Warriors, Pistons, Rockets, Suns have all rebranded recently.

If you want a name change example, the New Orleans Hornets, who played in OKC if you remember, rebranded to the Pelicans in 2013.

I love the Thunder but our branding is embarrassing and it only looks worse with every passing year.

I really like the Indigenous jersey. My favorite design is the Statement jersey from 2017-2019 (https://basketballjerseyarchive.com/oklahoma-city-thunder-2017-19-statement-jersey/76384/). I wish the navy blue and orange versions became the primary jerseys.

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Agreed. These are the way forward.

If $75M is the extent of the ownership group’s share, we should be looking at a 40-year lease with a $5 Billion liquidated damages clause (should the owners or their successors elect to move the team during the primary term) and a complete re-brand of the logos, marks and uniforms.

There is a new survey being circulated to some OKC residents by an anonymous source but almost certainly backed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Based on the questions, it seems to pretty clearly lay out the arena plan which is to be presented to the public in final form by the end of the summer.

There were more 'questions' but they were mainly laying the groundwork with the main points Holt has made in his speeches.

Adding up the numbers: $891 million in sales tax + $70 million in MAPS 4 money + $75 million from owners = $1.036 billion. I strongly suspect this does not include the cost of the property, assuming the Cox Center will be used.

All the following were framed in the: would this cause you to vote for the measure?


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123d.jpg

You can build a serious arena with 1.036 billion. Looking forward to seeing what it looks like.

You can build a serious arena with 1.036 billion. Looking forward to seeing what it looks like.

For comparison Fiserv Forum was $524M - not saying OKC doesn’t deserve a $1B arena but there will be plenty of eyebrows raised when compared to Milwaukee


The Fiserv Forum cost $524 million — $250 million from taxpayers in various forms, $174 million from the team’s owners and $100 million from former Sen. Herb Kohl, who saved the team from leaving Milwaukee not once but twice.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2021/07/28/clear-eyed-public-investment-milwaukee-bucks-helped-net-nba-title/5384338001/

I don't think a rebrand is a remote possibility. Our Knicks replica colors and uniforms are quite popular worldwide (plus within the league office and board of governors).

What? With the exception of the sunset orange’s, the Thunder jersey’s are nothing like the Knicks and any worldwide popularity of the Thunder is because of the players, especially Durant, Westbrook, and now SGA. Also worth noting that for about a decade, the Thunder were regularly one of the best teams, so that alone is going to boost their popularity regardless of how mediocre the branding is. I actually like the Thunder’s colors but that doesn’t save just how bland everything else is.

^^^^ Yikes! That's truly awful. Sorry. I just think it's a really poor logo concept.

I would appreciate something celebrating our Indian heritage but I'm fine with the Thunder. Indians are not mascots.

If you’re talking about the Native American Heritage uniforms in Laramie’s post, those aren’t a concept; they were actually used as an alternative uniform in the 2018-19 season. What about those uniforms imposes “Indians as mascot”? Or am I misunderstanding?

Wow. $1.036 billion is no joke. I really hope this place is next level

Man. I just want it to be known. For every single person that's ever said Oklahoma couldn't support an NFL team.

Just let this sink in. AT&T stadium, one of the pinnacle stadiums in the world, was built almost exactly a decade ago for almost exactly what this new stadium will cost us.


By no means am I directly comparing the two. There are massive differences between an entirely enclosed NBA arena and it's required amenities and an NFL stadium that can close it's roof and it's required amenities.

But what I AM saying, is that we could fund such a beast. And I've said this from the beginning of Maps 4, I wish we'd put MORE money into the Maps 4 stadium.

Anyway, all that said, we're about to have the nicest NBA Arena/General Venue in the US. I am so incredibly hyped for this.

For comparison Fiserv Forum was $524M - not saying OKC doesn’t deserve a $1B arena but there will be plenty of eyebrows raised when compared to Milwaukee



https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2021/07/28/clear-eyed-public-investment-milwaukee-bucks-helped-net-nba-title/5384338001/

So the Bucks owners pitched in a little over 20%, while the Thunder owners might pitch in…7%? Jeeeez.

So the Bucks owners pitched in a little over 20%, while the Thunder owners might pitch in…7%? Jeeeez.

Maybe the Bucks owner has a lot more money to pitch in. Do you have access to their liquid asset numbers?

Man. I just want it to be known. For every single person that's ever said Oklahoma couldn't support an NFL team.

Just let this sink in. AT&T stadium, one of the pinnacle stadiums in the world, was built almost exactly a decade ago for almost exactly what this new stadium will cost us.


By no means am I directly comparing the two. There are massive differences between an entirely enclosed NBA arena and it's required amenities and an NFL stadium that can close it's roof and it's required amenities.

But what I AM saying, is that we could fund such a beast. And I've said this from the beginning of Maps 4, I wish we'd put MORE money into the Maps 4 stadium.

Anyway, all that said, we're about to have the nicest NBA Arena/General Venue in the US. I am so incredibly hyped for this.

Factor in Inflation, additional raw material cost increases, and the probability that the total cost here includes some costs related to the development of the lots surrounding the arena on the cox block (pretty sure the cost of AT&T was 99% the stadium)… but regardless it is impressive how far we’ve come since hosting the hornets.

So the Bucks owners pitched in a little over 20%, while the Thunder owners might pitch in…7%? Jeeeez.

1) We don’t know the final numbers for what thunder owners are going to pitch in.
2) What are the two ownership groups worth and as mug said…how do they compare in liquidity?
3) How will the lease/profit sharing compare between the two?

I can’t think of an NBA that has rebranded without changing cities in the last 30-40 years

Rebranding doesn’t have to include changing the name or mascot. I think most here are advocating for at minimum a new logo but in general it seems that the people advocating for change want new branding, not a new brand.

If $75M is the extent of the ownership group’s share, we should be looking at a 40-year lease with a $5 Billion liquidated damages clause (should the owners or their successors elect to move the team during the primary term) and a complete re-brand of the logos, marks and uniforms.

I like the way April thinks.

Maybe the Bucks owner has a lot more money to pitch in. Do you have access to their liquid asset numbers?

Mug stop defending the Bucks owners. Our owners are good people, but it is fair to ask them to pay a fair share. This is a city wide effort and every class of people should play their role, from the mayor to the owners, to the people.

I know they didn’t necessarily have to give any money to the arena, but ownership not even giving 10% would be funny in a sad kind of way. I’m glad the city will own the arena.

I love the Thunder but our branding is embarrassing and it only looks worse with every passing year.

Completely. I really liked the Barons branding given our O&G history, but the Thunder is just comical.

Anyway, all that said, we're about to have the nicest NBA Arena/General Venue in the US. I am so incredibly hyped for this.

the clippers new arena that opens in 2024-2025 season is at 2 billion and counting ...

a recap for those that don't want to scroll


6 year maps extension 28-34 estimated to raise 891 million dollars

OKC will borrow the money to be able to build right aways

the team owners will donate 75 mil to the City owned and operated Arena

the Team will sign a 25 year lease to be the anchor tenant (something like 2028-2053) (who knows what the NBA and arena landscape will be in 2053

There is a new survey being circulated to some OKC residents by an anonymous source but almost certainly backed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Based on the questions, it seems to pretty clearly lay out the arena plan which is to be presented to the public in final form by the end of the summer.

There were more 'questions' but they were mainly laying the groundwork with the main points Holt has made in his speeches.

Adding up the numbers: $891 million in sales tax + $70 million in MAPS 4 money + $75 million from owners = $1.036 billion. I strongly suspect this does not include the cost of the property, assuming the Cox Center will be used.

All the following were framed in the: would this cause you to vote for the measure?


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/arena073123d.jpg

bump

a recap for those that don't want to scroll


6 year maps extension 28-34 estimated to raise 891 million dollars

OKC will borrow the money to be able to build right aways

the team owners will donate 75 mil to the City owned and operated Arena

the Team will sign a 25 year lease to be the anchor tenant (something like 2028-2053) (who knows what the NBA and arena landscape will be in 2053

So it would effectively be the next MAPS project? Not entirely sure how I feel about that given it locks us out of other MAPS style developments for that duration but it would be a good way to do it that doesn't raise local taxes past the current level.

Realistically what would be the next steps if this doesn’t pass? I think it will pass, but still

So it would effectively be the next MAPS project? Not entirely sure how I feel about that given it locks us out of other MAPS style developments for that duration but it would be a good way to do it that doesn't raise local taxes past the current level.

MAPS is supposed to be for money-making lifestyle venues. See the baseball stadium and barebones Ford Center. That is what this is. It is MAPS at its core. And it doesn't raise taxes, which is a plus for me.

The arena would be a major catalyst for development around it downtown. I would at least hope the city has had talks with developers about potential plans for that area. Maybe nothing concrete, but gauged interest in the surrounding area in terms of potential developments.

Factor in Inflation, additional raw material cost increases, and the probability that the total cost here includes some costs related to the development of the lots surrounding the arena on the cox block (pretty sure the cost of AT&T was 99% the stadium)… but regardless it is impressive how far we’ve come since hosting the hornets.

Oh, absolutely. Try to build an exact copy of AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys) today and it's gotta be about 2.5 billion, you'd think.

And there's a lot of other factors there too, as you mentioned.

But yeah, you nailed it, my point was, look how FAR this city has come in 20 or 30 years. Or like you said, just since Hurricane Katrina/Hornets. We're likely to easily pass the upcoming bill that will see us build a friggin ONE BILLION dollar NBA venue. Just incredible and it makes me so excited for the city going forward.

And again, I'd love for them to see the success of this and maybe add a little more to the Maps 4 Stadium. Give us a better shot at acquiring an MLS or XFL team. But that's a different discussion.

Realistically what would be the next steps if this doesn’t pass? I think it will pass, but still

The point of the survey is to make sure the current plan is going to pass.

If the survey comes back negative (unlikely), they'll use the feedback to recalibrate and then do another survey until they are almost completely sure it will pass.

They won't put something to a formal vote until they are extremely confident it will sail through with a good cushion.

The point of the survey is to make sure the current plan is going to pass.

If the survey comes back negative (unlikely), they'll use the feedback to recalibrate and then do another survey until they are almost completely sure it will pass.

They won't put something to a formal vote until they are as sure as they can be it will easily pass.

Thanks, Pete! Reminds me of what lawyers say: never ask questions you don't know the answer to. So the city isn't going to put something to us to vote on if it won't pass.

Appreciate all you do!

the clippers new arena that opens in 2024-2025 season is at 2 billion and counting ...

2 things here though.

1) it's LA. They absolutely have to keep up with the Jones' there, with anything built.

2) isn't Steve Balmer 100% paying for this himself? Mans worth billions and billions by himself. So he's basically building his own fantasy arena. We just don't have that luxury.


Even still, I bet ours will be very very similarly nice.

Realistically what would be the next steps if this doesn’t pass? I think it will pass, but still

the local owners sell the team for a massive profit and the thunder relocate to a different city

Oh, absolutely. Try to build an exact copy of AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys) today and it's gotta be about 2.5 billion, you'd think.
.

in 2023 dollars it would be 4 bil+

So Kaiser can build a huge, massive park in Tulsa costing nothing for the city, but when it comes to an arena in OKC (which would help him in the long run, financially), he is super frugal and fiscally conservative? Got it.

So Kaiser can build a huge, massive park in Tulsa costing nothing for the city, but when it comes to an arena in OKC (which would help him in the long run, financially), he is super frugal and fiscally conservative? Got it.

Kaiser didn't fund Gathering Place all by himself/his organizations.

Kaiser didn't fund Gathering Place all by himself/his organizations.

My mistake. You are correct. I apologize.

I can’t think of an NBA that has rebranded without changing cities in the last 30-40 years

It happens all of the time. NBA teams are constantly rebranding with new logos and updated color schemes.

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there should never be any "sunset" jerseys they are terrible

Objectively incorrect.

Having sports logo design in my past I was underwhelmed at the first designs for the Thunder (great colors but awful fonts). I was under the impression at the time that it would be a year or three of that then a solid logo rebrand with better fonts, graphics, and Rumble. Still waiting….

Having sports logo design in my past I was underwhelmed at the first designs for the Thunder (great colors but awful fonts). I was under the impression at the time that it would be a year or three of that then a solid logo rebrand with better fonts, graphics, and Rumble. Still waiting….

The branding was unveiled in September of 2008.

It was really bad then and 15 years later it's inexcusable.